Astec Industries, Inc. announced Monday that it will participate in the Jefferies 2014 Global Industrials Conference in New York, N.Y. on Wednesday.

Benjamin G. Brock, president and CEO, David C. Silvious, chief financial officer and Stephen C. Anderson, vice president of Administration and director of Investor Relations will attend the conference.

Senator Lamar Alexander on Thursday announced the following staff changes: Liz Wolgemuth will be promoted to senior communications director and speechwriter, replacing Jim Jeffries, who is moving to Seattle. Margaret Atkinson will be promoted to communications director. Senator Alexander said, “Washington, D.C.’s loss is Washington state’s gain. Jim Jeffries is one ... (click for more)

County school board members are gearing up to set priorities for the next round of new school construction in Hamilton County. Lee McDade, assistant superintendent, said officials may know by the spring how much money will be available to build new schools or add on to existing ones - or do a combination of both. Board member Rhonda Thurman said a proposal to build a new Chattanooga ... (click for more)

Walker County Sole Commissioner-Elect Shannon Whitfield said there will be a new arrangement for holding of public commissioner sessions when he takes place at the start of January. Current Commissioner Bebe Heiskell has held Thursday meetings at 3:30 p.m. from time to time in a conference room at her office near the Walker County Courthouse in LaFayette. Mr. Whitfield said those ... (click for more)

While a noble cause to make sure vehicles are operating efficiently with the minimum amount of pollutants, a simple analysis makes it somewhat evident the VET program in Chattanooga causes more pollution that it prevents. Though I don't know how many vehicles are tested on an annual basis, if you assume an average round trip of 10 miles to the nearest testing station (five ... (click for more)

If I could change one thing about the schools in Chattanooga, my wish would be that everybody could become good friends. I’m talking about the private schools versus the public schools. The rancor is so bad we hardly ever play in sports anymore and what the loathsome TSSAA has done in recent years to the out-numbered private schools is sinful. My dream would be that there would ... (click for more)